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Georgia authorities have issued a major update on the search for Gary Jones following his and his fiance Joycelyn Wilson‘s disappearance at Lake Oconee on February 8.
According to CBS News, Sheriff Howard Sills informed the press that the body of Gary Jones was discovered on Sunday, March 9. Per the outlet, Jones’ body was found in the afternoon “in about 45 feet of water” in Lake Oconee. Furthermore, Jones’ body was reportedly discovered not too far from where the body of his fiance, Joycelyn Wilson, was found.
Per CBS News, Keith Cormican, a search-and-recovery expert from Wisconsin, discovered Gary Jones. To note, Cormican was privately hired by Jones’ family and used “sophisticated underwater sonar” in his search.
According to PEOPLE, Jones’ cause of death has yet to be determined. However, authorities reportedly believe “he likely died after a boating accident.”
“All the evidence at this time, that’s what it points to, yes,” Sheriff Howard Sills reportedly told the press.
Furthermore, New York Post reports that Jones’ family has been informed of the discovery of his body.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Gary Jones, a high school coach, and Joycelyn Wilson, a Spelman instructor, set off to celebrate his 50th birthday on the lake on February 8. The pair reportedly headed out with their boat around 3:30 p.m. However, around 5:30 that day, their boat was discovered idling. Additionally, Jones and Wilson could not be found.
The following day, Wilson’s body was discovered floating near the boat with her cell phone in hand. Authorities reportedly do not believe she drowned. However, her autopsy and cause of death like Jones’ remains to be publicly divulged.
Per the New York Post, Gary Jones and Joycelyn Wilson were planning to tie the knot on March 14.
